The labor struggle that ensued in Kerala through the entire
novel The God of Small Things was based on classes, caste, and
the Communist system. Within the framework of The God of Small
Things, there are several ways to view the family: In terms of
history of origin, their interpersonal relationships, or politically
oriented in the scheme of Communism. This last view is the one I
will cover, labor activism in Kerala and how it relates to the whole
household.

The labor forces in Kerala tended to work in factories, fields,
or other low paying jobs that were barely enough for the families to
survive upon. This resulted in the labor Unions, and a strong rise
of Communist ideals. Ironically, this mirrored the movement of this
nature that happened about a hundred years prior in Britain. Within
the labor Unions, there was a sub-group presented in this novel, the
Naxalites. The history we are given of the labor force in Kerala
shows that the Naxalites were thought too radical in their ideas for
change, isolating them from the general goals of the labor forces.

Ultimately, however, it is important to note that members of
the labor activist forces were from different castes, as we see
through Velutha. The struggle dimly shadowed in this novel shows
that class and wealth/poverty superseded, to a certain degree, even
the history of caste.

Comrade K.N. M. Pillai is our main link to understanding the
role of the work force in Kerala at the time presented in the novel.
We do see the march converge around the family's car, their beloved
friend in Velutha joining the Communist march. The family has to
deal with the struggle of the workers against them, as Chacko becomes
known as "the Management" (115). The struggle of the labor forces in
Kerala, at least in this novel, becomes figured in terms of the
family and their ownership of Paradise Pickles. There is not
outright revolution or violence in the Kerala labor struggle we
witness as readers, but discontent and need for change regarding
wages paid.